Memphis Belle — first to make 25

This Boeing B-17F’s crew was the first of the heavy bomber crews in Europe to make the magic number of completed missions during WW II that defined a tour — 25. Another way to state things is that this was the first crew which attained the statistically unlikely number of combat missions required to complete their tour and rotate back home.

Many feel the Memphis Belle should stay in Ohio, not go to Virginia, but the Air Force Museum will also exhibit a are B-17D to compliment the Memphis Belle — and thought a pair of Flying Fortresses there with one at the NASM would be better than keeping all three.

Memphis Belle returning to base — U.S. Air Force photo

Nose art, not yet restored, of the Memphis Belle — photo by Joseph May

Another forward section view of the Memphis Belle in the restoration hangar — photo by Joseph May

The Memphis Belle’s tail section and tail cone — photo by Joseph May

A more recent photo of the Memphis Belle now with her wings joined up, engines installed, sitting on her landing gear — U.S. Air Force photo